Recipe unit (3)
I believe the answer is:
cup
'recipe unit' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
This is the entire clue.
(Other definitions for cup that I've seen before include "'There's many a slip 'twixt ... and lip.'" , "Container to drink from - prize" , "Sort of cake" , "Award; mug" , "Drinking bowl" .)